Truss spacing devices

ABSTRACT

Truss spacing devices ( 1 ) having truss holding legs ( 11 ) and truss accommodation areas ( 4 ) are provided. One embodiment has an outer body section ( 2 ) and at least one inner body section ( 3 ) extendably housed within the outer body section ( 2 ). A truss accommodation area ( 4 ) is formed between the truss holding leg ( 11 ) and the inner body section ( 3 ). To use, a person adjusts the inner body sections ( 3 ) so as to correspond with the appropriate width of a truss ( 9 ) and locks the inner body sections ( 3 ) in place. Then, the user places the truss ( 9 ) in the truss accommodation areas ( 4 ). Finally, a person positions the truss ( 9 ) at the desired location on a tie beam for securement. Alternate embodiments of the present invention allow for the use of the truss spacing device ( 1 ) in conjunction with roof pitches ( 17 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to truss spacing devices, more particularly, truss spacing devices that permit a person to safely and quickly space trusses on construction sites.

When setting roof trusses, a crane lifts the trusses to an area on top of the roof beams where construction workers are located. The workers must then grab the trusses that are hanging from the crane and properly position the trusses on a tie beam, typically about 2 feet off center, for securement. Meanwhile, the workers must maintain their balance so as to not fall off the roof beams, be cautious of the location of the trusses so as not to get hit by the trusses, measure the proper distance for the securement of the trusses to the tie beam, hold down and finally nail the trusses to the tie beam. Thus, setting roof trusses is a highly dangerous job. In addition, more than one worker is usually required for setting the trusses in order to correctly and hopefully safely secure the trusses.

Currently, many workers use items known as preacher blocks to properly space the trusses. As preacher blocks are merely 2×4 wood pieces, the preacher blocks tend to warp and break over time. The usage of a warped preacher block leads to inaccurate measurements, which is detrimental to the integrity of a roof.

Thus, a need exists for a durable and accurate truss spacing device that permits a person to safely and quickly space trusses on construction sites.

The relevant prior art includes the following references: Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue/Publication Date 2,686,959 Robinson 08-24-1954 5,148,890 Sipe 09-22-1992 2,964,807 Kennedy 12-20-1960 6,418,695 Daudet et al. 07-16-2002 Des. 347,587 Michael, Jr. 06-07-1994 4,704,829 Baumker, Jr. 11-10-1987 5,606,837 Holizlander 03-04-1997 2002/0092259 Crawford et al. 07-18-2002

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a truss spacing device that permits a person to safely and quickly space trusses on construction sites.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a truss spacing device that is durable.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a truss spacing device that is lightweight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a truss spacing device that is compact.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a truss spacing device that is versatile.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a truss spacing device that spaces and braces trusses while carpenters attach proper fasteners to the trusses.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a truss spacing device having an outer body section and at least one inner body section extendably housed within the outer body section wherein a truss accommodation area is formed between a truss holding leg and the inner body section. To use the device, a person adjusts the inner body sections so as to correspond with the appropriate width of a truss and locks the inner body section in place. Then, he or she grasps the truss and places the truss in the truss accommodation areas. He or she may then hammer the top of the outer body section so as to secure the truss in the truss accommodation area. Finally, a person positions the truss at the desired location on a tie beam for securement. The outer body may include markings or be color-coded so as to permit the user to easily determine adjust the truss spacing device to accommodate the truss at hand.

A second embodiment of the present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a truss spacing device comprising an outer body, two truss holding legs and two truss accommodation areas. Rather than being adjustable, the second embodiment of the present invention is not adjustable. The second embodiment may be used in conjunction with roof pitches by placing the trusses in the truss accommodation areas.

A third embodiment of the present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a truss spacing device comprising an outer body, at least one inner body extendably housed within the outer body and two truss holding legs. The truss holding legs aid in forming the truss accommodation areas. Similar to the first embodiment, the third embodiment of the present invention is adjustable. However, rather than adjusting to differing widths of trusses, the third embodiment adjusts for different heights of trusses as is typically used in roof pitches by providing an adjustable outer body section and an adjustable dial connected to the truss holding legs. A person uses the third embodiment of the present invention by first adjusting the length of the outer body section, then adjusting the angles on the adjustable dials and finally inserting the trusses into the truss accommodation areas.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of a truss spacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of an inner body section of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

-   -   1. truss spacing device, generally     -   2. outer body section     -   3. inner body section     -   4. truss accommodation area     -   5. hole     -   6. button     -   7. spring section     -   8. rubber panel     -   9. truss section     -   10. handle     -   11. truss holding leg section     -   12. dial     -   13. lever section     -   14. angle adjuster extension     -   15. truss holding leg extension     -   16. nut     -   17. roof pitch     -   18. building     -   19. markings     -   20. first end of outer body     -   21. second end of outer body     -   22. first end of inner body     -   23. second end of inner body

With reference to FIG. 1, a side plan view of a first embodiment of a truss spacing device of the present invention is shown. The truss spacing devices 1 includes an outer body section 2 and two inner body sections 3. The outer body section 2 has two truss holding legs 11 located on each end of the outer body section 2. The outer body section 2 is preferably in the shape of a hollow rectangle. The inner body sections 3 are housed within the outer body section 2 and allow for truss accommodation areas 4 of various sizes by utilizing an adjustment device, such as a button 6 and a plurality of holes 5 for receipt of the button 6. The holes 5 may be color-coded so as to easily allow a worker to recognize the size spacing he or she requires. Alternatively or additionally, the outer or inner body sections 2 or 3 may also include markings 19 so as to indicate different increments of truss spacing.

In FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown. The inner body section 3 is housed within the outer body section 2 so as to be slidingly extendable into the truss accommodation area 4. A button 6 is located on either side of the inner body section 3 and are connected to one another, preferably by a leaf spring 7. When in an engaged position, the buttons 6 extend out of the outer body 2 via the holes 5 so as to maintain the inner body 3 in a stable position.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention. Rubber panels 8 may be attached to the top of the outer body 2 so as to permit workers to hammer the device 1 without harming the device 1. Although rubber is the preferred material, other materials may also be used.

In FIG. 4, a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use is shown. The truss spacing device 1 is capable of holding two trusses 9 at the same time, thereby permitting a person to safely and quickly space trusses on construction sites. Each truss 9 is held in a truss accommodation area 4 formed between an inner body section 3 and a truss holding leg 11 on the outer body section 2. Because the inner body section 3 is adjustable, a variety of differently sized trusses 9 may be used in conjunction with the truss spacing device 1. The first embodiment of the present invention is preferably used in setting trusses of equal height.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the truss spacing device 1 has only one body section 24, two truss accommodation areas 4 and two truss holding legs 11. However, the second embodiment includes a handle 10 for easy portability and is not adjustable. In addition, rather than being used for setting trusses of equal height, the second embodiment of the present invention is for use in setting trusses of varying lengths, as is standard when working with roof pitches.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment of the truss spacing device 1 includes two truss accommodation areas 4 and two truss holding legs 11. The third embodiment also includes an outer body section 2 and an inner body section 3 so as to be adjustable in length. However, the body sections 2 and 3 are preferably hollow and cylindrical in shape. The outer body section 2 has a first end 20 and a second end 21 while the inner body section 3 also has a first end 22 and a second end 23. A truss holding leg extension 15 is secured to the truss holding leg 11 and extends toward the body sections 2 and 3. A dial 12 having a lever 13 and angle adjuster extension 14 is secured to the body sections 2 and 3. The truss holding leg extension 15 and angle adjuster extension 14 are connected to each other via a fastening means, preferably by using nuts 16 and bolts. Markings 19 may be located on the outer body section 2 and/or inner body section 3 so as to easily permit a person to adjust the truss spacing device 1 to a desired length by positioning a button 6 into one of a plurality of holes 5 located on the outer body section 2. The inner body section 3 preferably has two buttons 6 connected via a spring 7. Markings 19 may be located on the dial 12 so as to indicate the degree of the roof pitch.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows the third embodiment of the present invention in use on a roof pitch. Because trusses 9 get longer and longer in roof pitches 17 on a building 18 but the spacing between the trusses 9 remain the same, the use of the third embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful in quickly and accurately spacing trusses 9. The third embodiment is adjustable so as to change the length of the spread to accommodate for the pitch changes.

All three embodiments of the present invention may be constructed of wood, plastic, metal or any other material.

The use of the present invention will allow a person to quickly, safely and accurately position and hold trusses in the proper locations.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings. 

1. A truss spacing device comprising: an elongated outer body section; an at least one inner body section extendably housed within said outer body section; at least one truss holding leg located on said outer body section; at least one truss accommodation area located between said at least one truss holding leg and said at least one inner body section; said at least one inner body section being extendable into said at least one truss accommodation area; and a means for securing said at least one inner body section in a predetermined position within said outer body section.
 2. The truss spacing device of claim 1 wherein: said outer body section has at least one hole; said at least one inner body section has at least one hole; and said means for securing said at least one inner body section in a predetermined position within said outer body section is via at least one button.
 3. The truss spacing device of claim 2 further comprising: a spring attached to said at least one button.
 4. The truss spacing device of claim 1 wherein: said outer body section has at least one marking.
 5. The truss spacing device of claim 1 wherein: said inner body section has at least one marking.
 6. The truss spacing device of claim 1 further comprising: at least one rubber panel located on said outer body.
 7. A truss spacing device comprising: an outer body section; a first truss holding leg located on said body section; and a second truss holding leg located on said body section.
 8. The truss spacing device of claim 7 further comprising: a handle located on said outer body section.
 9. A truss spacing device comprising: an outer body section; an inner body section being extendably housed within said outer body section; said outer body section having a first end and a second end; said inner body section having a first end and a second end; a means for securing said at least one inner body section in a predetermined position within said outer body section; an adjustable dial secured to said outer body section first end; an adjustable dial secured to said inner body section first end; a first truss holding leg attached to said outer body section; a second truss holding leg attached to said inner body section; a means for securing said adjustable dial secured to said outer body section first end to said first truss holding leg attached to said outer body section; and a means for securing said adjustable dial secured to said inner body section first end to said second truss holding leg attached to said inner body section.
 12. The truss spacing device of claim 11 wherein: said means for securing said adjustable dial secured to said outer body section first end to said first truss holding leg attached to said outer body section is via nut and bolt; and said means for securing said adjustable dial secured to said inner body section first end to said second truss holding leg attached to said inner body section is via nut and bolt.
 13. The truss spacing device of claim 11 wherein: said outer body section has at least one marking.
 14. The truss spacing device of claim 11 wherein: said inner body section has at least one marking.
 15. The truss spacing device of claim 11 wherein: said adjustable dial has at least one marking.
 16. The truss spacing device of claim 11 wherein: said outer body section has at least one hole; said inner body section has at least one hole; and said means for securing said at least one inner body section in a predetermined position within said outer body section is via at least one button.
 17. The truss spacing device of claim 16 wherein: a spring attached to said at least one button.
 18. The truss spacing device of claim 11 wherein: said adjustable dial is adjustable via a lever. 